Cooking Interview Preparation Guide

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I am a graduate of The Culinary College, LA and have been working as a junior cook for the past two years. I am an organized person with demonstrated ability to run and maintain a hygienic cooking station.

An annoying waiter who was very lazy an impatient. I just didnt kill him because i needed a spare waiter , and it would be a shame to get blood on my uniform. People like him shouldnt work in kitchens , but im still deciding on whether i should toss his butox out of the kitchen or tell him to shut up and do his job and stop annoying me.

Food is my passion and I enjoy experimenting with different flavors. My exposure to different parts of the world as a child developed in me an understanding of various cuisines and I like to invent fusion dishes which is why I opted for a culinary career.

Well i organize myself according to the deman really. I usually try to have quality over velocity to be honest. Usually i have an order of doing things and never just do things out of a random outburst. Tired.... people in the kitchen get tired but im sure most dont sit down and rest we work it out till its time to hit the hay. Really anyone who is getting tired from standing up shouldnt be working in the kitchen especially when you will be standing up 8 - 12+ hours.

Being a highly motivated individual with a passion for cooking, in the next ten years I see myself working as a head chef in some five star restaurant or having one of my own.

Worked several weeks as a prep cook before getting boosted up to line. I had to prep , clean and work the salad station and as an expiditor awhile before working the line. I obviously prep and clean everything before and after my shift and or the restaurant has closed;

I am an inborn manager and usually enter my work station pre organized. To ensure organization at work, I always send requisition for supplies needed at least one day in advance and I always pay special attention to prep work. Things are least likely to go wrong at a cooking station if the prep targets are achieved well in time.

(This is another question aimed at determining how well you know your work. Be specific as to what you believe is the right set of activities to ensure smooth services.)

Smooth service is the basis of any type of food service organization. To ensure this, I make sure that there is sufficient stock and levels of food supplies available to line stations at all times.

During the last holiday season while I was in charge of the pastry station, a colleague who was in charge at the entrée station had to go on urgent leave. I covered up for him while maintaining my own station as well. The first day was a bit difficult but then I developed and applied some effective strategies and did all that was possible before hand to ensure timely food service. I was able to run both stations simultaneously without extra help for a week

I took the Critique as a positive advice to improve my work and my self.

Definitely! A cook needs mathematical skills to weigh things accurately, make unit conversions and double or divide ingredient quantities to attain desired amount of any given recipe

Focus is the main point. Never allow it to get to your head and take over, learn how to manage and always maintain a sense of urgency.

(Be careful! The interviewer is trying to gauge if you actually possess all the skills that you are supposed to. Provide detailed information of some of the important skills that you believe a line cook should have.)

The foremost skill a line cook should have is the ability to prepare food in accordance to food handlers' guidelines. He should also possess knowledge of cooking procedures and safety rules for kitchen equipment. Additionally, he must be able to do repetitive work without getting bored and be flexible with job duties that he may is entrusted with.

I am a very sociable and communicative person. I like to have good communication with my co workers and always be on the same page to work as a team and have the days production done.

(This is a trick question aimed at determining how well you handle situations that involve peers. You have to show that you are a tactful person and not a telltale.)

If I come across something like this, it is my duty to talk to the responsible individual and explain to him that he needs to report the problem.

► What is your background and/or education in this field?
► Do you have any certifications?
► Are you devoted to this as a career, or is this just a job for you?
► Do you have knowledge of generally accepted cooking practices and techniques?
► Why do you think you're the right person to work in this kitchen?
► Are you willing to perform all kitchen jobs if needed, such as dishwasher?
► Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment, or do you prefer when things are slow?
► What is your favorite thing to cook?
► Are you comfortable working as a member of team, even if you're not the leader?
► What are your strengths and weaknesses?

► What are you looking for in terms of career development?
► A team experience you found disappointing.
► Have you ever had to deal with conflicting deadlines?
► What steps do you follow to study a problem before making a decision?
► Describe a situation where you had to plan or organize something.

Just try to stay focused on the job you're interviewing for.
A short positive response is best. If you don't know the answer, just be frank and tell them that.

► How many cans of #10 green beans does it take to feed 200 people?
► What kind of formal training have you had?
► Can you show me a sample of your work?
► How do you spend your time when you are not at work?
► If you have to be at work at 5am, what time will you wake up and leave for work?
► There are only ten (10) minutes left to complete your shift. Your cleaning duty is not done, what will you do?
► What would your fellow employees say about your teamwork?
► How do you handle criticism from your manager?
► Tell me about the most recent problem you had with a co-worker and how you responded.
► What would you do if you mess up a recipe?
► What encourages others to talk to you?
► How would you handle a dissatisfied customer towards the food?
► Do you enjoy talking to people regardless of your mood? Can you give me an example?
► What would you do if you knew a fellow co-worker was stealing?
► You have an irate customer at the register, how would you handle this situation?
► How do you handle a situation when things go badly?
► You are stocking and there is only one other worker on the grill. There are 3 customers in line. How would you handle this situation?
► How often do you trade shifts?
► How would you handle a situation where an employee had difficulty following closing procedures?
► Tell me about the last time you had to work past your regular time and how did you handle this?
► Describe the most difficult position you have held?
► If I call your former supervisor, how many days would he/she say you have been absent or late in the last year?
► How do you keep your promises to others?
► Do you pride yourself in being dependable? Can you tell me about it?
► Give me an example of how you handled a complaint from a co-worker.
► Tell me about a big negative event that happened in your life. How did you handle this event.
► What do you think this position requires you to do?
► You have finished your tasks and have 45 minutes left on your shift, but your coworkers are not finished, what would you do?
► If you had extra time on your shift, would you be able to find additional work? Give me any example.
► How do you organize yourself to be more efficient?
► How would you go about making a customer feel welcome in our restaurant?
► How would you handle multiple demanding customers?
► What is the most difficult situation you have faced with a customer and what was the outcome? How would you handle it differently?
► How would you diffuse a situation with an upset customer?
► How do you feel about the philosophy of the customer always being right?
► How would you define a successful server?
► Everybody misses work sometimes. What are some legitimate reasons to miss work?
► Do others like to talk with you? How do you encourage others to talk to you?
► Why have you applied for the position of hostess?
► How do you put strangers at ease?
► Define what hospitality is and what it means to you.
► What qualities do you feel are necessary for the position you are applying for?
► Were you a team player in your last job? Tell me how?
► If we had 100 extra guests, how would you respond?
► How many times in the last year were you late to work, acceptable to you?
► How do you feel about working an extra shift if asked?
► In your last job, what situations kept you from being at work everyday?
► Why do you think dependability is important and give me an example?
► On your last job, what were some of your accomplishments? Choose some of the best and tell me about them.
► Do you participate in any physical activities to keep you in good physical shape?
► Tell me about a time when things were not going well and how you handled it.
► What are the 3 most important details about washing dishes?
► Can you give me an example of how you would accomplish everything necessary in an unusually busy day either at home or at work?

► How did you fill downtime at your last job?
► What situations kept you from fulfilling your job duties or from coming to work on time at your last job?
► What do you feel is an acceptable amount of days to be absent in a calendar year?
► Think about the last time your manager critiqued your work. How did you respond?
► What about your character makes you a good candidate for this job?
► How have you responded in the past when you found another employee was stealing?
► Priorities often change suddenly throughout the day. If you are asked to quickly do another task, how does that affect your mood? What if it's the third time before noon?
► How do you handle situations that could cause you to be tardy or absent?
► Tell me about your last performance review. What was mentioned about how you could improve? Any re-occurring themes?
► How have you responded in the past when your replacement calls in sick and a substitute will take over an hour to come in?
► 24/7 operations are like relay races where you take the baton, run with it and then pass it on smoothly. How do you make seamless transitions on shift changes?
► During the last year, when your replacement hasn't shown up and your manager asked you to stay late, what percentage of the time have you stayed late?
► Give an example of when you did something without being asked. Can you give me another example?
► Tell me about your most frustrating experience as a __________ (job title). Listen and then ask, how did you handle it?
► Describe a recent problem you had with one of your manager's decisions. Listen and then ask, how did you handle it?

► Are you good at working in a team?
► Give an example when you had to explain a complex technical issue to someone.
► What is more important to you: the money or the work as Line Cook?
► Give me an example that best describes your organizational skills.
► What's the best movie you've seen in the last year?
► Why do you believe you are qualified for this Line Cook position?
► How would you weigh a plane without scales?

Stay focused on what is critical to the job. Let answers show that you have taken the tithe interviewer. Say something about your interest and how it can help you on the job you are applying for.

► What kind of formal training have you have?
► How would you describe the difference between broiling and braising?
► What dishes best showcase your creativity?
► What would you do if you were cooking and realized that you didn't have all the ingredients you needed to make a dish?
► What would you do if you were shopping and couldn't find the right brand of an ingredient for your recipe?
► How do you make sure that shift changes go smoothly?
► How do you respond to increases or decreases in customer flow?
► Describe the busiest times at your previous restaurant. How did you go the extra mile to help out?
► What are the least busy times? What do you do with your extra time?
► What would you do if you were on your way to work and your car broke down?
► How would you handle negative feedback from a customer about the food?
► Describe a time you went out of your way to please a customer.
► Describe a time you helped a co-worker finish a job on time.
► Describe a time you disagreed with your manager. How did you handle it?

► When were you most satisfied in your job?
► Can you describe a time when your work was criticized?
► How well did your college experience prepare you for this job?
► Time when you made a suggestion to improve the work.
► What assignment was too difficult for you?

Keep your answer simple, direct and positive.
Don't feel too much pressure as you have been asked many strict questions that you are unable to answer well. The interviewers want to know the real you, the potential candidate they may accept in.

► What have you been doing since your last job?
► What relevant experience do you have?
► What do you think this position involves.
► What major challenges and problems did you face?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?

Try to avoid specific classifications, whatever it may be.
Discuss any attributes that may set you apart from other job candidates. Answer all Kitchen line cooks interview questions honestly and stay focused throughout the hiring process.

► Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to Line Cook?
► Why are you the best person for this Line Cook job?
► What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
► Describe some ideas that were implemented.
► How long will it take for you to make a significant contribution?
► What was the most important task you ever had?
► What questions do you have for me?

Make sure to have a specific idea of where you envision yourself in five, ten and even twenty years. This is a good time to illustrate how you can contribute to the company if you are successfully recruited. Be careful and be positive. Describe more features that you liked than disliked.

► Give an example of situations when your leadership skills were needed.
► What do you feel is the best educational preparation for this Line Cook job?
► How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
► Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
► Do you know anyone who works as Line Cook at this company?
► What salary are you seeking?
► Describe a decision you made that was unpopular and how you handled implementing it.